NEWCASTLE'S ruthless plan to sell broken jaw victim Steven Taylor this summer may rest on whether he is fit for a full pre-season's training.

After internal discussions following the bathroom incident which left Taylor in need of surgery and a two-night stay in hospital, United appear ready to try to cash in on the defender while sticking with his alleged assailant, Andy Carroll.

Despite the nationwide furore over the latest flashpoint, Carroll, who is awaiting trial on an ABH charge, appears to have received the support of influential figures in the Magpies’ dressing room.

By shocking contrast, sympathy for Taylor, who has had titanium plates fitted to repair a double fracture of his jaw, seems in short supply at St James’ Park.

And the 24-year-old centre-half is also the subject of an online campaign bizarrely intent on laying much of the blame for the alleged bust-up – which, contrary to reports, did NOT stem from a dispute over wages – at his door.

But while the likes of Aston Villa, Everton and Fulham have already been linked with a summer move for Taylor – who would love to stay put on Tyneside – their interest may depend on him being up to a return to training in early July.

Although the basic healing time for a double fracture of the jaw is six to eight weeks, professional sportsmen are usually warned against resuming full-contact activity for four months, and some victims take up to six months to recover full strength and feeling in their face.

Taylor also faces a struggle not to lose a significant amount of weight – a classic symptom of being restricted to a liquid diet.

Surprisingly, Newcastle boss Chris Hughton yesterday insisted he still has “hope” that Taylor will be back in action before the end of the season.

But Hughton refused to comment on how Taylor suffered his fresh injury or why Carroll has been pictured with both of his hands heavily bandaged.

United are said to have been rocked by another player row just two days before the Taylor incident.

Joey Barton is understood to have clashed with Fabrice Pancrate in an argument over a tackle during training on the eve of Newcastle’s trip to Bristol City last Saturday.

Barton was not then included in the squad which travelled to Ashton Gate, while French winger Pancrate was an unused substitute.